Getting to Know: Joe Bachman

ATLANTIC CITY — You don’t often expect much when the supposed cover band comes on stage, but a hot July night at Gypsy Bar at Borgata provided one of the biggest surprises of the summer.

Joe Bachman and his band started off with their contractually-obligated covers of country and pop songs, but when they started an original song, called “Like We Used To,” we stopped the simple toe tapping and head bobbing and starting flat out dancing.

We hung out with Joe in-between sets, and found him to be one of the friendliest musicians we’ve encountered in a while. He share stories about Nashville and Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown, and we were all ears.

The band is coming to Boston this week for two shows at Paris at Ned Devines. We got back in touch with Joe to see what he has in store:

BLAST: You’re playing Paris at Ned Devines — Have you played Boston before? How do you like the city?

JOE BACHMAN: Yes, we play Ned Devine’s on Friday and Saturday, August 24 and 25. Both nights at 10 p.m. I’ve played Boston for the last 7+ years. It’s truly one of my favorite places to play! Amazing city for music… especially country!

BLAST: We met you in Atlantic City at Borgata, and you played a hell of a set. Are you mostly country, a little rock? What defines you?

JB: Thanks so much, John! Yes, I am a Modern Country Artist. Take a little Zac Brown, a little Chesney, and a little Aldean… and you have my style. But that isn’t what defines me. What defines me is my live show and the band’s ability to just throw a huge party whether we’re playing for 100 people or 10,000.

BLAST: Can we expect to hear more original songs?

JB: Hell yes! If it was up to me, that’s all we’d play! I released my debut album, “one” a few months ago and the response from my fans has been incredible. So we play songs from the album at every show. In addition, I spend almost all of my down time, which isn’t as much as I’d like, in Nashville writing with some of the best Songwriters in country music. I love writing… it’s my drug of choice, for sure! Also, we are so excited to take the album national when we release our first single “Small Town Rock Stars” to radio on October 1, 2012!

BLAST: Tell us about your friendships in the country music community. Anyone been particularly helpful in your career?

JB: I have been fortunate enough to become friends with a lot of the community over the last several years. Lee Brice has been a huge mentor and friend. Incredibly supportive. And in my humble opinion, one of the best songwriters and performers in the world. He brings me to tears and goosebumps EVERY time I watch him live. Chesney and Aldean’s camps have both been incredibly supportive. In the studio, Aldean’s band played the tracks on my album. Rich, Tully, and Kurt call themselves New Voice as their Producing Team. They are the best of the best. Okay, enough name dropping for one article!

BLAST: You’re, somehow, not signed to a label right now. What does the future hold, commercially speaking, for Joe Bachman?

JB: We’ve actually been really happy with that, John! Not to say we’re not interested in a label. We’re just absolutely waiting for the right fit. We’ve spoken to a few labels in the last few months and we haven’t found the one that fits what we’re trying to accomplish. I’m in a very fortunate situation. When you own your album and your brand… you get to have total business and artistic control. If I choose to give any of that up, it’s got to be the perfect fit!

BLAST: You have a huge band behind you. How did you guys get together?

JB: Yea, there’s seven of us. We love harmonies, so we seem to keep adding members! (laughs) All of my guys play multiple instruments so I get to have three guitars and keyboards and fiddle and so many voices at our live shows. It’s such a cool thing that allows me to explore a lot of different dynamics with our songs. And, I’m truly blessed to be on the road with my brothers. We are as close as any seven guys could possibly be. I’m a lucky boy!

BLAST: And finally, what should fans expect out of Joe Bachman on the 24th and 25th?

JB: Two-plus hours of non-stop passion. We love what we do, and we just wanna show that at every live show. We wanna pull you in and have you join us in the party. The best feeling in the world is having someone come to a show and having never seen us, and 2 hours later, they were just sucked in to the show. It’s a win-win for all of us! So come out Fri or Sat (or both) and create a party with us! We’re gonna party like “Small Town Rock Stars.”